Nelson, New Zealand ¨C Britain-born Marc Davies, 47, is a longtime resident of Japan and has been practicing ²õ³ó´Ç»å¨ (calligraphy) since 1996. In 2019, he achieved the rank of shihan (Master Instructor) in Japanese calligraphy, and in both 2020 and 2021 he was awarded a national recognition in the art form. You can find examples of his work on Instagram, where he goes by .
1. What first drew you to ²õ³ó´Ç»å¨? I was completely fascinated by kanji characters. I was intrigued that the character for speak (ÑÔ) resembled the way that we drew longitudinal sound waves in physics classes when I was at school. On a short day trip to Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, shortly after I came to Japan, I found myself sitting in a temple garden in Kamakura staring at the name of the temple in kanji. I was fascinated by their symbolism and structure. Years later, in China, I witnessed calligraphers writing on the pavements with water, the characters evaporating moments later. I was hooked.
2. What is a typical calligraphy lesson like? Typically I sit for four to five hours and attempt to copy the monthly models of the designated Chinese poem. I will practice five or six styles of kanji in one sitting.
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